Headset mic feedback / ambient noise during call

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Headset mic feedback / ambient noise during call

Whenever I use a headset with my iphone 4S, I can hear my own voice feeding back through my headphones. I can hear ambient noise from my surroundings. It is sometimes very difficult to hear the other person because of this issue. I am on AT&T.

Using different headsets (including the headset that came with the iphone) does not solve the problem. Swapping out my phone didn't solve it either. I never had this issue with my 3G using the same headset.

The issue has been mentioned in other discussions/threads, but I started this thread exclusively to address this issue. Do not confuse this issue with the "echo" issue that others have been complaining about. In that case, the person on the other end of the call hears their voice echoing. Also, do not confuse this issue with an intermittent echo that cycles around every 10 minutes or so. This issue is ALWAYS present and cannot be fixed by turning the speakerphone on and off again.

I have tested over 20 iphone 4S's to date and they all have the same problem. I have even tested some iphone 4 models that have the problem. Everything I've tested was running some version of ios5. I have not tested any iphone 4's running ios4. So it may be software related. The 3G and 3GS do not have this problem.

So far, the genius bar people that I consulted claimed to have never heard of the issue before. Even after I showed them that every single iphone 4S that they had on display exhibited the same mic feedback loop problem, they denied it. As far as I know, every iphone 4S in existance has this issue. It is a massive flaw in the iphone 4S and I do not know why Apple has not addressed it by now. Unless it is a harware problem, in which case they do not want to deal with the expensive recall costs.

If you are not sure whether or not you have the problem, make a call using a headset (apple or 3rd party), and either tap the mic or talk directly into it during the call. If you hear the tapping or your own voice, something is wrong. There is no reason for you to hear any audio that gets picked up by the headset mic on your end of the call!

Apple, shame on you. FIX THIS!!!!!!!

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 3:33 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 8, 2011 3:41 PM in response to uncle PP

Same problem on a 4S running iOS 5.0.1. My headset is a "Scosche - IDR305 Headphones-CAF" which I purchased at the Apple Store.

Works great with my 3gs - tons of ambient noise and mic feedback on my 4S (Verizon).

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Answer 2

has2289

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2011 4:08 PM in response to uncle PP

Same problem on my iPhone 4S with Etymotic hf3 headphones. Basically unusable when outside with traffic going by, worked fine with my iPhone 4.

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Answer 3

Dec 8, 2011 4:31 PM in response to uncle PP

Thge problem also happens on iPhone 4 units, once they have been upgrades to iOS 5. I verified this with a couple of co-worker's iPhones.

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Answer 4

has2289

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2011 4:34 PM in response to Ghostwheel

Oh, that's actually encouraging, hopefully it will be corrected with a software update. I was running iOS 5 on my iPhone 4, before upgrading to the 4S, but it was for a very short period of time, and I never noticed the issue. Was actually going to check on a friends iPhone 4 the next time I see him.

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Answer 5

uncle PP Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 8, 2011 4:35 PM in response to has2289

has2289, that is interesting because I tested my sister-in-law's iphone 4 (running ios5) and she had the ambient noise problem. So did the iphone 4 on display at the apple store. Did you upgrade to ios5 before getting the iphone 4S? I am curious if the problem only started with ios5. That would be encouraging since then it could be fixed with a software update.

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Answer 6

has2289

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2011 4:38 PM in response to uncle PP

uncle PP, like I said above, I did upgrade my iPhone 4 to iOS 5, about a week before I upgraded to the 4S phone, but I never noticed if the amibent noise issue was present. But Ghostwheel says he can confirm that it started on iPHone 4's once they upgrade to iOS 5.

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Answer 7

Dec 14, 2011 12:31 PM in response to has2289

I had the same issue with two iPhone 4s. When I called Etymotic about this, they replied saying it was an Apple feature called "sidetone". A quick google search revealed this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidetone

Funny thing is, after getting used to it, I sorta liked it. It made me aware of my surroundings.

What I couldn't get used to was having every person on the other end of the line complaining about the call quality so I ended up returning the handset. (echo, sound far away, sound like you're under water, etc)

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Answer 8

uncle PP Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2011 12:56 PM in response to some other dude

I just read the wikipedia entry about sidetone. Thanks for finding that. It's possible that that is what we are experiencing. But why would they introduce sidetone only in ios5? Also, if sidetone is what we are experiencing, they need to lower the amount a lot or at least give us the option of adjusting it. It is way too much when using a headset. Perhaps they optimized the levels for the handset but did not change the levels for a headset.

Searching for sidetone related issues, I found this:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3450171?start=0&tstart=0

some other dude, I think you nailed this one. Now we just need to get Apple to release a software fix.

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Answer 9

elsattar

Level 1

4 points

Dec 15, 2011 7:14 AM in response to uncle PP

similar problem here

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Answer 10

Resist

Level 1

9 points

Jan 3, 2012 5:42 PM in response to some other dude

Telephones have had sidetone forever, not sure about all cell phones. But it's not just an Apple feature.

Without it, it would be like talking with a finger in your ear. Cell phones that don't have it probably is because their earpiece is a more open design and you can easily hear yourself as you talk, unlike with a handset that covers the ear.

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Answer 11

Jan 3, 2012 5:43 PM in response to Resist

'sidetone' did not exist when I used my Etymotic HF-3 headphones on an iPhone 3GS runing iOS 5.

'sidetone' did not exist when I used my Etymotic HF-3 headphones on an iPhone 4 runing iOS 4.x.

I LIKE having all outside noise blocked. I paid extra to have it that way. HF-3 headphones are not cheap, and neither are the custom silicon ear buds I had made.

You call in 'talking with a finger in your ear' and I call it peace and quiet.

Resist wrote:

All telephones have sidetone, not sure about all cell phones. But it's not just an Apple feature. Without it, it would be like talking with a finger in your ear.

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Answer 12

uncle PP Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2012 8:51 PM in response to Resist

I don't have a problem with a little sidetone. I have a problem with sidetone being 10x louder than it should be. I'm sure there is sidetone without the headset also, but the volume is appropriate. As soon as I put the headset on, it is unbearable.

When I drive and use the headset, it is so bad that I have to keep my finger above the "mute" button and toggle on and off so I can hear the other person. I mute it when they are talking and unmute it when I am talking. This is not safe, I know, and pretty much defeats the purpose of hands-free, but it is really the only way to be able to talk.

Every day that goes by I can't believe Apple has not addressed this. It's really not so difficult. Just undo whatever change was made when they moved from ios4 to ios5.

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Answer 13

uncle PP Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2012 8:56 PM in response to Resist

Resist wrote:

Telephones have had sidetone forever, not sure about all cell phones. But it's not just an Apple feature.

I also want to add that cell phones have not had this forever. It is very clear from this discusson that none of us had this problem on our previous phones whether it be an iphone 4 or iphone 3G or droid. My wife currently uses a droid with a headset and it works great. This is clearly a new problem specific to ios5.

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Answer 14

has2289

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2012 9:53 PM in response to uncle PP

Unfortunately I don't believe this is an issue specific to iOS 5, but rather specific to the iPhone 4S. My Etymotic hf3 headphones work just fine on an iPhone 4, running 5.0.1., the issue only happens on the iPhone 4S.

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Answer 15

Jan 3, 2012 10:38 PM in response to has2289

Glad to hear it, but when I use my Etymotic HF3 headphones on a friend's iPhone 4 with iOS 5.0.1 I get the sidetone ********.

has2289 wrote:

Unfortunately I don't believe this is an issue specific to iOS 5, but rather specific to the iPhone 4S. My Etymotic hf3 headphones work just fine on an iPhone 4, running 5.0.1., the issue only happens on the iPhone 4S.

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